"I draw to Me, My man from far off or even across the seven Seas to Shirdi, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet"-Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian Spiritual Guru-God

Thanks SSS Trust, Shirdi

People from different Religious, Geographical, Economic, and Social backgrounds are brought together here. Their prayers are delivered and successfully resolved with the grace of the Indian spiritual SadGuru-God, Shirdi Sai Baba.

Category: Watchful eyes

Ob Baba watchful eyes exposed attempts at wrong

  • SACRIFICE OF SELF FOR DEVOTEES

    Baba’s sacrifice for devotees

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” About Baba’s Sacrifice for Devotees

    (a) Balwant G.Khaparde’s plague drawn by Baba to himself

    521. In 19ll-12 Plague started at Shirdi; and Balwant Khaparde’s son of G.S. Khaparde had fever (evidently plague). Mrs.G.S.K.: Baba, give us leave to go.

    B.: “It is cloudy. Then it will rain. Then crops will grow and mature. Clouds disperse, why do you fear?”

    Mrs. G.S.K. not understanding anything goes away.

    Later, Baba lifting up his kupni and showing bubos on his person: “Mother, see, I have to suffer for your sake to remove your sufferings.”

    The Bubonic fever Baba had evidently been drawn from Balwants body; and Balwant’s fever like Baba’s passed off in two or three days. Similarly Baba drew plague of a Police Superintendent at Goa to himself

    (b) Baba’s offer to his own Throat

    522. When R..Tarkhad, Mir Jaman of Kandahar and others were sleeping by the side of Baba at the Chavadi. Mir Jaman woke up at midnight and spoke to Baba.

    M.J.: Baba, the Hindus are spoiling you, and the Islamic faith. Give me leave. I will cut all their throats at once, with my sword.

    B. “I am (pagal) mad; and the Hindus worshipping me are mad, I am responsible for their heterodoxy; not they for mine. If you want to cut any throat, cut mine.”

    Mir Jaman kept quiet thereafter.

    (c) Baba’s sacrifice of his own health

    523. B.(To G.S.K. in 1910): “For two years, I have been so ill as to live on mere bread and water. I have string worm. People rush and give me no rest. This will continue, till I go back to the place of my origin. I do not mind it because, I care more for my people than for my own life.”

  • APPERCIATION OF LOVE

    10–14 minutes

    Baba’s Love of Devotees

    Para Number in the Book & About Baba’s love of devotees

    1. Baba’s Appreciation of Prema

    (a) Vinayak S.Girishar of Malad

    1. V.S.G.’s wife being greatly devoted to Baba took special pains to prepare a nice flower garland and sent it to Baba through her husband, Baba received it and kept it on his neck for a long time.

    B.: “This is prepared with great devotion.    Let her thus garland my photo every week in your house” (cf. Mrs. Tendulkar’s Bakul garlands) 

    (b) R.B.Purandhare

    1. B.: (I) “I will not forget him. I will always remember him even if he is away more than 2,000 miles. I will not eat, even a bit, without him.”
    • B.: “R.B.P., build a house. Do not ask for a single pie from anyone. I will help you myself.”

    Then R.B.P. built it taking a loan of Rs.500/- from his office, but it was a lonely building in a field.

    B.: “Do not fear. I am my self sitting there and guarding you and your young wife.”

    [No mishap befell the couple by reason of their loneliness]

    • In 1915 Baba was seriously ill. He had Asthma and hard breathing. R.B.P. without knowing of this illness went to Shirdi. saw Baba breathing hard, and cried.

    B.: Why do you cry?

    R.B.P.: I cannot endure the sight of this state of yours.

    B.: Do not fear. In 2 or 4 days, I will be alright. Allah has given me this illness and he will make me alright within that period. You need not cry. I was remembering you the last 2 or 3 days and told Kaka (H.S.D.) to write to you to come.

    (Before getting the letter R.B.P. went up to Shirdi.) 

    • R.B.P.’s mother wanted to go to Pandharpur to see Vitoba.  Then Baba gave her and her daughter-in-law(R.B.P.’s Wife) darsan of himself as Vitoba and Rukmai, at the Shirdi masjid itself and they were satisfied, Baba, after-wards:  “Mother,  when will you go to Pandharpur?” R.B.P’s mother: “My God is here at Shirdi and this is my Pandriarpur.”
    • Baba to R.B.P.: “You must always adhere to truth and fulfill all the promises you make. Have faith and patience. Then I will be always with you, wherever you are and at all times”.

    R.B.P. : Please get that done by me, Baba.

    B.: Do not battle and quarrel. I feel sick and disgusted, when you quarrel with other. (cf.289)

    1. Nandaram S. Marwadi at whose house Baba was daily begging bread, wished to leave Shirdi on account of plague epidemic there and because he had fever.

    Baba: “Do not go. You are not going to die. I will not let you die till I die.”

    Baba gave him udhi and he was cured. He is still alive (1940)

    1. In 1914, Ramanavami season, when myriads flocked to Baba, an old woman was shouting.

    Old Woman: Hallo! take pity upon me, an old woman! Hallo, Baba, give me your darsan.

    Shama went out and elbowed his way back with her into Sai Baba’s presence. She melted into tears and held Baba with both her arms round his waist. Baba: Mother! how long have I waited for you! Have you brought anything for me to eat?

    Old Woman: Here is a piece of stale flat bread and an onion. I started my journey with one flat bread and two onions. But tired by journey, I ate at a stream in the morning and ate off half the cake with one onion. Here is the remainder. You had better, eat it.

    Baba: (crunching the stale bread and eating it with gusto). “How sweet, O mother, is your bread!”

    1. In 1913 Nama-saptha, Baba sat surrounded by a large crowd. Baba: ‘Shama, go out. Beyond the wall there is an old man sitting and he has some sugar candy with him. Beg of him some candy for me and bring it.”

    Shama went out and found an old man, his saliva dripping, stinking pus exuding from a wound on his chest, pestered by flies and wearing a rag, in one corner of which some sugar candy was tied in a knot. Shama brought him through the crowd to baba and said “He here is”. Baba placed his hand in blessing on the old man’s head, took out a piece of the candy and said “Take back the rest of the candy” (as prasad).

    1. Baba Vakharkar of Bassein sent a bunch of plantains to Baba. The bearer came and stood before Baba without delivering it.

    B.: “Hallo (addressing the bearer) pluck one of the fruits from the bunch. He (Vakharkar) has not yet taken his meal. Send him a wire that Baba has eaten the plantain and then he will take his meal.”

    The bearer then remembered that V.’s instructions were exactly what Baba said.

    1. In 1915, January, eight days before Sankaranthi Baba: “Send up Sankaranthi Halva.”

    A messenger went up and returned from the stores with a negative answer saying that Sankaranthi was eight days off.

    Baba: “I want Sankaranthi Halva now.”

    The messenger went up to the stores again. The postman just then brought a packet of Tilgul, which a loving devotee had specially sent up in advance to be tasted by Baba. Baba by his antarjnana knew of its despatch and, the exact time of its arrival.

    1. B: “I want Kacheri (i.e., sliced   vegetable of brinjals) “

    This   was   not   in   the   stores,   but   Mrs.   Purandhare who had received a brinjal, to be given to Baba was making kacheri before it was brought to him and without any intimation of its having been sent.

    1. Baba (to Govind Balakram Manker): “Have you brought anything for me?” G.B.M: Nothing.

    B.: “Did none give you anything to be carried to me?”

    G.B.M.: None.

    B.: “Dear fellow, when you were starting from Bandra, did not that mother (Mrs. R. A. T.) with great love and devotion deliver sweetmeat to you to be presented to me?”

    G.B.M. Yes, yes, Baba, I now remember it.

    After all, the peda was some old stuff that had already been offered as Naivedya. As there was nothing else to send to Baba through Manker, Mrs. T sent up this old peda, with great love and devotion.

    1. When Baba was seated at noon in the Dwaraka Mayi, a number of dishes had been brought as Naivedya and placed by devotees before Baba who did not touch any of them. As soon as Mrs. G.S. Khaparde brought and placed her dish, Baba tasted it.

    Shama: What, Deva! What discrimination is this? What other brought, you did not touch. As soon as this lady brings her dish you taste it.

    B.: “She (Mrs.G.S.K.) was formerly a cow of a bunya and gave (me) plenty of milk. Then she was born of a mali (gardener) and later went to a Kshatriya. Then she married the bunya. Then she was born a Brahmin. After a long spell of time, I am seeing her again, and the food she gives me is sweet (with her love)”

    1. A stinking feeble leper with a packet of peda (tied up in his dirty cloth) which evidently he wanted to present to Baba, to take back part of it as prasad; came climbing up the steps and took considerable time to move up to the Dhuni, take the Udhi and give it to Baba. In his shyness and fear he parted from Baba without presenting the peda. A lady, Mrs. S. Tarkhad who was there with Baba, felt relieved at the stinking man’s departure and said within herself “Thank God, this fellow is off.”

    B. (darting a piercing glance at her): “Hallo, call that man back”

    The leper came and bowed, keeping the peda parcel in his hand.

    Baba, picking up that parcel and opening it:” Hallo, what is this? Pedas!”

    Baba took up a piece and giving it to Mrs. S. Tarkhad said, “Eat this.” And then Baba put a piece of the peda into his own mouth. Though the lady felt mortified, she swallowed it, noting that Baba was teaching her a lesson on consideration for fellow creatures and trust in the Guru.

    Baba, (taking up the balance of the peda and returning it to the leper): “Take away this prasad.”

    Baba thus enabled the poor leper to get prasad of peda though the man did not dare to offer it.

    (I) Gifts with pure mind [Garde’s Mangoes Pandit’s Sesha (urlat, ladus)

    518. K. K. Garde. B.A. LL.B. Sub-Judges, Nagpur (now retired) purchased at Poona Reay Market, three excellent mangoes and presented them to Baba. Baba (receiving them): “Hallo, these fruits he (Garde) has purchased in the market for me, and has brought the whole lot to me, without tasting any part of it, quite unlike what the pandit did the other day. Pandit got a whole packet of ladus intending to give them to me: but on the way after bath in the Godavari he was hungry and ate away some of the ladus and brought me the rest. These fruits are not urle or sesha like that

    (B) Gifts with impure mind-Bhikubai’s flowers, melon and Peda

    519. Bhikubai Bayyaji Patel returning from Ahmedabad to Shirdi brought with her a garland of flowers, a water melon, (Tubuj) and some milk sweets peda. With these, she crossed the Godavari at Kopergaon. Then remembering the wretched death of a friend of hers at that place was weeping and blaming Baba mentally for not averting such a wretched death. But she forgot all those thoughts evidently, when making the presents to Baba at Shirdi.

    Baba: “I do not want this garland of Tulul” i.e., mental uneasiness.

    Then she lifted the garland and went near Baba to place it on him. Strangely, the garland snapped into three, one bit on each hand and other on floor. Then she offered the water melon and milk sweets.

    Baba refused then.

    Baba: “This woman was weeping and shedding tears at the Godavari and she has brought this with such a troubled heart. So, I will not accept it.”

    Dubious Gifts, Mrs.Kantikar’s grapes

    520 Mrs. Kanikar went with her daughters to Baba with a very nice basket of grapes, which she specially and lovingly brought for him

    Baba: (in a kind tone) What have you brought? Grapes?

    Mrs. Kanikar: Yes, for your sake, I have brought it from Nasik.

    Then she presented the basket. As Baba was turning over a few grapes, her daughter- Banuthayi thought the fruits were going to be scattered and wasted by Baba.

    Baba pushed aside the whole basket to Mrs. Kanikar and said: “Go, take away yours.”

    Mrs. Kanikar was mortified. Baba eventually feeling for her, picked up a few dried and worthless fruits from the basket and returned the rest saying, “Go now, let your children eat this.”

    As Mrs. Kanikar and her daughters returned with the basket, Banuthayi said

    “Mother, I do not know what made me to think so, but as you presented the basket I thought “What! She has given him the whole basket of fruits! It will be all scattered in a trice. He will eat nothing and we shall get nothing.”

    Baba’s action and works showed that he appreciated the mother’s intention to present her gift, which was vitiated by the daughter’s unwillingness to part with it.

    578.[a]  Baba to MBR, a graduate, when he first came and bowed to him: “What! Do you worship a man?”

    MBR was stunned by the remark (or rebuff rather) and plunged in despair. Then finally, when Baba was alone he approached him. Baba beckoned him to approach and after MBR placed his head upon Baba’s feet, embraced him and seated him near himself.

    B.: “You are my child; When others, i.e., strangers, are in the company, we keep the children off.”

    (After) MBR  began the japa of Sai’s name, Baba sent for him.

    B.: “What were you doing in the morning?”

    R.: Japa.

    B.: “Of what name?”

    R.: Of my God.

    B.: “What is your God?”

    R.: You know it.

    B. (smiling). “That is right.”

    Baba thereby expressly approved of Sai Nana Japa and the maintenance of secrecy about one’s religious Sadhana.

    [ b ] On one occasion (a Guru Poornima perhaps) when all devotees (except MBR) had brought and placed garlands upon Baba, R. was mortified at his own forgetting to bring a garland. Then Baba lifting up a bundle of garlands from his body, said to MBR “All these are yours.”

    [ c ] MBR was identifying himself with Baba and in 1915 at Rama Navami, tried to get Baba’s approval and sanction for that identification.

    At Rama Navami, numerous devotees placed new clothes before Baba so that he may touch and return them. MBR brought a very fine pacca muslin (bought for Rs.85/-) kept it inside his shirt and then bowing to Baba, silently thrust the muslin under Baba’s gadi, when no one noticed it.

    MBR was resolved that if Baba cared for his love, the muslin should be retained and not returned by Baba, as Baba and he, were one. When all clothes were returned, Baba got up.

    B.: “I say, clear off all that lies on the gadi (mattress) and dust it.”

    The mattress was removed and the muslin packet was revealed.

    B.: (Picking it up and spreading it out): “Hallo! What is this! Muslin! I am not going to return this. This is mine.”

    Baba then wore it over his body and turning to MBR. Said: “Do I not look nice in this?”

    MBR was overjoyed to see that Baba recognised that he and MBR were one and accepted the present in that spirit.

  • OTHER POWERS II

    12–17 minutes

    Baba’s other powers II

    Para Number in the Book & About HIS Powers II

    AUTO-BIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES OF PAST BIRTHS
    Snake and frog-Rebirth for revenge, Development of Vasanas, Justice of God

    473. Sai Baba said “One’s sin (Papa) does not cease, till he falls at the feet of sadhus,” and told a tale.

    Another moral of this tale told by Sai Baba is that lust for Pelf drags, one down to the lowest level.

    Sai Baba said: “One morning at 8 a.m. I went out for a walk. I came to a river (like Rahata River) which was deep. But there was a footpath and a cart track also sheltered by shade trees. A gentle breeze was blowing. I sat in the shade and looked at the dense foliage of the trees. As I was wetting my hand-kerchif to smoke my chilm. I heard the croaking of a frog. I struck my flints and lit my pipe; and Wayfarer came, sat by me, bowed to me and invited me to dine at his house.

    I agreed; and he lit the pipe and handed it over to me. He heard the croaking and tried to find out what it was due to. I told him, “A frog is in trouble, tasting the bitter fruit of its own Karma. See, what we do in our past lives, we reap the fruit of, now . Why cry out now (against fate)?”

    Then he went out in the direction of the sound to see the cause. I told him, “The frog is caught by a huge serpent and is crying. Both were very wicked in their past lives and they have come into their present bodies to reap their fruit.” The wayfarer found these words true. There was a huge black serpent holding in its mouth, a big frog.

    And he said. “In 10 or 20 minutes. it will be all over with the frog.” But I said to him, “I am its father and am here. Will I let the snake eat it? See how I effect its release”.

    I took the man with me and went to the place of the serpent. The man went first, looked at the snake and came back in terror and said to me, “The snake might come here and attack us. Let us fly from here. Do not go there.”

    Then I went and addressed the struggling creatures thus-“Hallo! Veerabadrappa! Even now, Have you no pity for your enemy Basappa, though he, has taken form as a frog?. You also have become a serpent, Be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred and be quiet.“

    Hearing these words, the snake let go the frog quickly, entered the deep water and disappeared. The frog also went away and hid itself in the tree.

    The wondering wayfarer said that he could not understand all that took place, why the serpent dropped the frog at the words spoken, who was Veerabadrappa among the two and who Basappa; and what was the bone of contention between the two, and asked me to tell him. We went back to our shade at the tree foot and smoking our chilm, I then explained it all to him. 

    Some 2 or 3 Kros from my place, there was a holy place,      A dilapidated Mahadeva temple was there. People resolved to renovate it. They collected funds for the purpose. A very rich man was made the treasurer. He had strict and  regular  accounts. But he was a born miser. The building  was left incomplete and fresh collections were made. Still  no progress was made in the building work.

    God sent his wife a dream, wherein she was told. “If you spend any money on this temple renovation, Siva will give it back to you a hundred fold”. She mentioned this to her husband. He feared that it was involving him in expense.     So he laughed it out as a mere dream, and not a  thing  to be  acted  on. “Else, why did not God come to  me and tell  me?  Am  I  very  far  from you?”  he  said.

    Then God came to her again in a dream and said that she need not bother herself about his wealth and that she might (if she liked) give any little thing she could scrape up of her own. 

    She had her sridhan (marriage gift by parent) ornaments. She went and told her husband of the dream and  of her desire to give her ornaments to God. Now this miser wanted to cheat God in this transaction.  

    The jewels were worth Rs.1,000. So he told his wife that he would take the jewels himself and give God a land. But that land he held only as a mortgagee (some poor widow was the mortgagor). It was an uncultivated piece of coastland which yielded nothing in the best of seasons.

    This, he gave away to the God (or to the Poojari i.e., temp’e priest as an inam for worship?).

    Then came later a terrible storm. Lightning burnt down his house. He and his wife died. In the next life, the rich man was born at Mathura (Muttra). She was born as the daughter of the Poojari of Siva and was named Gowri. Dubaki, the mortgagor was born as a man named Basappa and was adopted as Poojari’s heir. The rich man in his rebirth was named Virabadra.

    The Poojari of Siva’s temple was a great friend of mine and he would come to smoke with me. His daughter also was devoted to me. Her father, the poojari, considered whom he should wed her to. I told him “Do not bother. A man will come to you for her hand. “

    Veerabadrappa left his poor parents and begged his food wherever he went and finally came to poojari’s house, and offered to wed his daughter. Veerabadra married Gowri. Veerabadra also became my devotee.

    But he was hankering after money. He told me that I was responsible for his marriage and should help him to get wealth. I said, “Wait, Better times are coming”.

    The coastland suddenly rose in value and was sold for one lakh of rupees. Half the price was paid in cash. The rest was promised in 25 instalments of Rs. 2000 each. All agreed to this in joy.

    Then Virabadrappa and Basappa quarrelled over that money. I said Gowri was the sole proprietrix of the priest’s property.

    Gowri had a dream that she should hold the property herself and not allow any one to claim it. Gowri sought my protection. I gave her a pledge that I would cross 7 seas even to help her. (It appears as though in that Janrna, Baba was a Moslem with siddhies, living in the masjid).

    Virabadrappa disputed with Basappa and both came to me. I tried in vain to appease Veerabadra. He was wrath with me, got mad and threatened to kill Basappa and cut him to pieces. Basappa was timid and sought my protection. I pledged myself to save him from the vindictive wrath of Veerabadrappa. Veerabadra became mad with rage and cursed and swore at me and all. Then Veerabadra died and was born as a serpent. Basappa died and was born as a frog.

    Hearing Basappa’s miserable croaking and remembering my pledge, I have kept my word and saved Basappa, the frog from Veerabadra, the snake. God has saved his devotee Basappa by sending me. All this is God’s Lila.

    474. “I went to place, and by the Patil’s compulsion, I made a plantation and also a hard footpath through it.”

    1. Once I had heart palpitation and my life was in great danger. I put Vishnu Saharanama over my chest. God descended it into my body and the disease left me and I was safe.
    2. Baba: “Once I was a little boy and I tried to earn my bread. I started in quest of employment. I went to bid and got employed in weaving lace cloth. I was never wearied in my work. By my fakir’s (master’s) ways, there was no feeling of fatigue. Each day I turned out as much work as four boys together tuned out. One boy produced Rs. 50/- cloth per diem, another Rs. 100/-, another Rs.150/- and I Rs. 600/- worth. My employer was pleased. He loved me and praised me to others. He gave me nice dress, a pagota for my head and shawl for upper cloth. I did not use them, but gave them away to others. What Sircar (God) gives lasts for ever, not what man gives.
    1. “I was Kabir and used to spin yarn.“
    2. “I had four brothers. The eldest had all the money. His wife starved us all. I earned money by a contract and fed all including the eldest brother. He became a leper and was shunned by all and cast out. I attended on him, fed him and looked after his comforts. Ultimately he died.”
    3. “I was with 4000 persons, then an epidemic broke out. They were in fear. Then I assured the 4000 and said, “I will die rather than let you die. I will not let you die.”
    4. In the place, where this Shirdi Masjid (i.e., Baba’s) stands, one Muzafar Shah lived. He owned property extending for miles, i.e., upto Nandurki, where his son lived. I stayed with him and cooked for him. He died where the Dhuni (fire) is glowing now in the mosque.
    5. A devotee: Baba, what is your native place?

    Baba: I came here from Aurangabad. My maternal uncle (Mama) brought me down here.

    Devotee: What is the name of that Mama? Where is he now?

    Baba (Laughing): He was a mad man, having no name. He must be living somewhere now.

    1. Baba: “My brother once misbehaved and was consequently excommunicated. I looked after him and eventually had him re-admitted in to caste.”
    2. Baba: In 1913 gave out a long personal story of previous birth of his. “We were two brothers. We walked on. On the way my brother went ahead. He was bitten by animals and he died. Five or six men came up and asked me. “Where is your brother?”. I told them the facts and added ‘I made a shroud for him’. Refusing to believe me they went in search for him, despite my protest and were eaten up by animals. A stout lady came and made the same enquiry and the same search and shared their rate. I gave her also the shroud. Then as I went on, six or seven moslems were came with a sheep. They then began to force it into my mouth. I said, “I will pray to God and then eat.” I covered the flesh with a cloth and prayed to God. Then the mutton was converted into huge red rose. They were so big that you could not enclose one rose into your palm. The moslems went away. Then I walked on. I was walking on a footpath and was enclosed by a wide expanse of clear water. No path was visible from there. That is God’s work. 

    Baba, then turning to Shama: What is our duty? Behave properly. that is enough. Go to the Wada and read pothi.

    1. Baba said once: “As a boy, I was weaving shawls and my father was once so pleased with my work that he gave me a present of Rs. 5/- or so. “
    2. I was once eating food (i.e., living) in the East Coast (Coromandel Coast).
    3. Baba: “Pshaw, what of Akbar? I protected him in his infancy. He stood in awe of me.”
    4. “That Brahmin of Paithan (evidently referring to Eknath), I knew. Such excellent Brahmins are not to be found now a days.”
    6. Baba to Balakrishna Upasani Sastri: “I was at the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi took part. I was then in the army.”
    7. “My rich father had much buried wealth. I sat on one and became a big cobra. After a time, I left the treasure and regained human form.”
    8. Baba to (GSK): “I was here (at Shirdi or on the banks of Godavari) eight to ten thousand years ago.”
    9. “An old Patil was on this field, and he used to visit me. Detectives (Govindas) 4 or 12 used to watch the old man and they had disagreements and once they had a scuffle with him, and I helped the old man then. He was hauled up and taken to a big town to be dealt with. I intervened and got him released.”
    10. “When I was young, I was going away far from Jaina. There was a mango tree on the way. Its fruits all marred by insects, I struck iron nails in the tree. That cured the defect. The fruits produced thereafter were free from insects.”
    11. Baba: “I and Sakharam (of Angaonkavad) studied under the same Guru and we both planted mangoes with our own hands. Two fruits from them, I have sent just now (1909) for you, Mrs. Kanitkar.

    Mrs. kanitkar next day received at Kopergaon on her way back two mango fruits from the Brahmachari of the temple who said, “Baba sent these for you.”

    495. When I was young I went out one morning and suddenly became a girl and continued to be so for sometime thereafter.

    496. Baba: I laboured very hard. I went without food for months and fed myself on leaves of Kala Tekkal, Neem, and other trees. God was very good to me. Life never became extinct though all flesh got wasted and bones appeared to be in danger of crumbling away.

    497. My father found a bar-maid, selling date toddy in a garden to two hundred Rohillas, took to her (wedded or not) got sons by her. She refused to go with him and favoured many. Worms developed on her feet. As she was my father’s wife, I tended her feet and cured her. She dies later.

    1. “Once I wove cloths, turbans, pitambar, rugs etc, but still I could not get enough money to satisfy hunger.”
    2. “My mother was greatly rejoicing that she had got a son, i.e., me. I was for my part wondering at her conduct. When did she beget me? Was I begotten at all? Have I not been already in existence? Why is she rejoicing over this?”

    Baba draws people by Rinanubanda

    (l) N.G.Chandorkar

    500. Nana : Baba, why did you send for me?

    Baba: There are thousands in the world. Do I send for them all? Should there not be some special reasons to send for you?

    M: May be.    I am not able to see.

    B.: Nana, you and I have been intimate with each other for the last four births. You do not know that; but I do. So be coming here, now and then when you find time. 

    (2) Bbagavant Rao Kshirsagar

    501.“This man never worships Vittal, not gives Naivedya as his father did. He starves me and Vittal. His father was my friend. So I have now drawn him here to tell him to revive his Pooja.”

    (3)

    502.In a former birth, I, you (G.S.K.) Jog, Kaka (H.S.Dixit), Shama, and Dada Kelkar, were all living together with our Guru, in a blind alley. I have therefore now brought all these together.

    (4)

    Nana, this man has left a box with us, and now wants it back. It is not proper to refuse, (i.e., he has done us a good turn in a former Janma. We must now do him a good turn.) (s.c.227.)

    (5) Do not drive away

    503. “No one comes to us without Rinanubanda. i.e., some pre-natal connection. So when any dog, cat, pig, fly or person approaches, do not drive it or him away with a “Hat-Hat,” “Jit-Jit”.

    (6) Rinanubanda for animals

    504. Baba (to a performer whose tiger died): The tiger’s debt to you incurred in a former birth is now cleared.

    Baba’s reference to his being a Brahmin in the present Janma

    505.(a) This is a Brahmin’s mosque.

    (b) This is a Brahmin, a pure Brahmin, a white Brahmin, who will carry thousands on through Subhra Marga.

    506. (c) Baba (to Mrs. Chaubal who intended to pay 1/2 rupees as dakshina to Baba, paid only 1/4 rupee and retreated): “Why do you wish to dupe me, a poor Brahmin, of the other 1/4 ?”

    (d) Baba (to S.B.Nachna. who asked him leave to start, but forgot to deliver 2 annas to Baba, though he had received it from V.C.S. for that purpose): “All right you may go back via Chitali, but do not dupe a poor Brahmin of his two annas.”

  • Mystical Rites and Practical Wisdom

    Baba’s Sayings and his practical wisdom and mystical rites

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” About HIS Wisdom and Rites

    1. Bade Baba (Fakir Baba), brought with him a recent Hindu Convert (Ibrahim) to Islam to the mosque.

    Baba, slapping that convert on the cheek: “Ah! you have changed your father!”

    Baba’s Prayers

    1. Sai Baba: I speak things here. Things take place there (in accordance with my words). This is all God’s sport (lila).

    (Re.M.W.Pradhan), Baba : “O God. Let the rain stop. My children have to go home. Let them go back comfortably (And the rains stopped till M.W.P. reached the Railway Station).

    596a.   (Re.H.V. Sathe) Dada Kelkar: “When are we to have a grandson?

    Sai Baba- “I am requesting Allah.    He will comply with my request.”    (Next year a grandson was born).

    1. “I  have been considering  long and thinking day and   night. All are thieves; but we have to deal with them. I prayed to God night and day for their improvement or   removal. But God delays and does not approve of the (my) attitude, and grant the prayer. I will wait for a month or two and see. But living or dead, I will have what I have been praying for. I will not go to Teli  or  Vani. I will never beg of them. The people are not good and devoted. They are unsettled in mind etc. A few friends will gather together and talk divine wisdom, and sit and contemplate.”-Baba (G.S.K. diary)
    1. In 1886. (Baba to Mahlsapathy):”I am going to God.”
    2. (Re. his hand burnt)Baba: “It is all God’s play. He himself will cure. Why should we be anxious? Allah is my doctor.”

    Baba, to R.B.P.- “In two or four days I will be all right. Allah has given me this sickness and He will make me all right within that period. You need not cry.”

    Baba’s Practical Wisdom and detachment

    1. Baba was seated at the mosque. The season for custard apple (Seethapal) had just began. A woman with these fruits was coaxing Baba to take fruits. She demanded very high prices first. Baba- “I do not want your fruits. Take them away.”

    Then the woman begged of him to take six fruits for ten annas. The fruits were bought. A little later, before the woman was paid, another woman with Seethapal turned up and Baba bargained with her. B.- ” For ten fruits, I will give only six annas.” The woman agreed.

    B.. Shama, what is the total to be paid to these women.

    Syama: Deva, one Rupee.

    Then Baba addressing some one present (Kaka Mahajani?): “Bhav, will you give me Rs.2?”

    That man gave the two rupees asked for.

    Then Baba calling the first woman: Have this. Take the money.

    And he paid her one rupee.

    Then Baba called the second one and paid her also one rupee.

    The devotee, who paid two rupees said, “Baba, I do not understand all this, will you make me understand?

    B.: What is the difficulty? When the first basket came, fruits were scarce and so 10 annas for six was settled.

    When the second basket came, fruits were not so scarce, and so 6 annas was fixed for 10 fruits. As for the actual payment, each was paid according to her Bhagya (poorva Karma etc.).

    1. In 1890 Nana Saheb Nimonkar voluntarily offered a ten rupee note. B.: “I will not take this.    I am a fakir.”
    2. Mr.Kanitkar went with his family about 1907 to Baba, and found Baba in the chavadi using obscene language by way of abuse and wondered at it. One of his clerks said that Baba was a great saint. Then Kanitkar said “I will consider Baba a great saint, If he returns all the dakshina he has taken from members of my family.” Then when his wife and family went to Baba, B.” Here is all the money you have given till now. Take it away.”

    Mrs. K.: It may be useful for purchase of fuel etc. Keep it B.: “I do not want it.”

    1. Baba (to S.B. Nachne) “whatever you do, do thoroughly. Else do not undertake it.”
    2. Baba: “Do not borrow for celebrating a feast or festival, for a pilgrimage or other journey.”
    3. Baba.: “Always take your meal, before you start for a journey.”

    Conservatism re. Death- Pollution, when observed by the devotee

    606. Baba (to Haribhav K.karnik): “Do not get up the steps of the mosque. Go back straight to your home (Dahanu) without halting on the way.”

    Haribhav went back and found that his grandson’s wife had died just two hours before Baba spoke.

    607. Mrs. Gokhle was coming into mosque with others. Baba(to Mrs. Gokhale). “Do not climb into the mosque.”

    She went back, purified herself and again tried to enter it. Baba (again): “Do not enter.”

    Then Mrs. Gokhle went home and found that when she tried to enter the mosque, she was under pollution arising from the death of a relation.

    Baba’s Mystical Rites and Wisdom

    608, (a) Village women to Baba:You are grinding wheat into flour. Let us also help you. Baba:”Do”.

    After some grinding. Women: Baba, you do not prepare bread so we will take away the flour.

    B.: “No, no, no. Come on. Let us carry all the flour.”

    Then Baba led the way to the streamlet which forms the northern boundary of Shirdi.

    B. “Now let us throw all this flour alongside of the stream on its bank. These epidemics, cholera, plague etc. come in the shape of Goddesses and they will be satisfied with this flour, which we offer and will go away from the village. In point of fact, when Baba threw the flour alongside of the streamlet the threatened epidemic did not visit the village.

    (b) Baba rubbing coins.

    Baba when alone used to take out coins from his pocket and rub their surface with his fingers, (as a result of which all the letters etc. were rubbed out) saying;

    “Nanache Nanache (i.e., Nana’s Nana’s) Kakache. Kakache; Somyacne somyache etc.

    By this, adverse circumstances against these persons were rubbed out. That is what the devotees felt and believed.

    (c) Baba watching over the safety of devotees.

    Baba to Abdul: “Abdul, place some buckets of water nex to   that   (Akhandam)   in   the   Lendi   garden   see   that,   That lamp (Akhandam) is perpetually burning.   Feed it always oil.”

    Baba, after the buckets, full of water, were placed near the Akhandam, would sprinkle water from them in all the cardinal directions, and he would also stand up and walk a few steps in each direction and intently speak at the horizon in each direction evidently to note and avert evils befalling his devotees.

    (d) Baba one day suddenly put his hand up to the elbow very close to the Dhuni fire at the mosque or even into the fire. His skin was burnt.

    Shama : Baba, why do you do so ? (So saying, Shama pulled him off.)

    Baha: “Let the cursed hand go. A child had fallen into the fire and I was picking it out.”

    Later, information was received that in some place, not far off, a blacksmith’s child had fallen into the fire and was picked out before any danger to its life happened.

    (e) Mystical rites: In March 1911, just before Arti. Baba: “Hallo ! I have intense pain in the belly fetch a turban”. A turban was brought. Baba wound it round his body and wanted each end of the turban to be pulled by each of two men standing on his right and on his left side.

    Baba: “Pull. Pull, I have not yet got relief”. Later: Baba “You may stop now. I have relief”. None could make out what the matter was.

    A little later news came from Nimgaon, 2 miles off, that a lady devotee having unbearable pains of parturition thought of him and then had safe delivery. Evidently this mystic rite helped in that delivery.

    (f) An ardent lady devotee that was not allowed to approach or appear before Sai Baba at any time, was seriously ill. Evidently to effect her cure, Baba got over a neighbouring house top, walked over the terrace of the house where in the patient lay, arrived at the top of another house and sent for a ladder to descend therefrom. On descending, he paid Rs.2 to the person that brought the ladder, saying that services should not be accepted gratis, (see 226). The patient recovered.

    (g) Vastu Paoja, etc. when the Shirdi mosque was reconstructed (about 1911), Baba often pulled down what the masons put up. After that was built, a dandal with pillars supporting a zinc sheet roofing was being put up in the open yard in front of the mosque evidently ignoring the directions contained in Vastu Sastra.

    Baba came up angrily, seized Tatya Patel, pulled out one of the pillars just then planted, burnt Tatya’s cloth and inserted the ashes of that cloth and a silver coin in the hole from which the pillar was pulled out, then reinserted the pillar and allowed the work to go on. Baba was obviously observing the directions of Vastu Sastra. i.e., that relating to house and temple construction.

    (h) Baba frequently made gestures, waving his hands or fingers or a stick held in his hand (1) before the Dhuni fire; (2) before the chavadi; (3) when he came in procession to a spot from which Maruti temple is seen (see about this 58 supra); (4) before G.S. Khaparde at the mosque: (5) and on other occasions and at other places. Each had its own significance.

    (i) When in the terrible heat of the noon day sun, a kid came up to the mosque, fell down whirling and appeared to be dead. Baba came round it and sprinkled water drops on it. It jumped up and ran away.

    Baba similarly came round the burning stack of a marvadi and drew a thin line of water all round it, and said “This stack alone will be burnt”. The stacks near that were all safe, though a strong wind was blowing. (See 342.)

    (j) Abdul Kadir wanted fakiri,   spiritual   uplift, evidently   through Vairagya and the acquisition of higher states. 

    Baba  held  up  his   clenched   fist  in  the  air and waved it towards that man opening the pam finally, as though he threw something at him, saying Lev.  From  that moment that man was full of Vairagya and indifference to  all his temporal affairs. His relations were displeased and he also behaved in an erratic way. 

    Then Baba extended his hand towards  him and  withdrew the fist saying “Lao” i.e. Give back. That man regained his original mentality and attended to his affairs. These were witnessed by Chotekhan.

  • BABA’S INDEPENDENCE

    Baba’s Says ie HIS independence

    Para Number in the Book & About Baba’s Independence

    (a) Dhulia Court Commission

    581. A person was charged before the Dhulia Magistrate’s court with stealing jewels etc. The man pleaded that, Sai Baba of Shirdi had given him the jewels and cited him as a witness. Summons come

    Constable’. Baba, here is a summons for you.

    B.: “Take it and throw it into the fire”.

    Anyhow the report was sent that Baba was served and as Baba was absent for the trial a warrant came to Shirdi. Ganpatram, the constable to Baba: “Baba, they have sent out a warrant. Will you kindly go with me to Dhulia?”

    Baba, angrily. “Throw that piece of paper into” (Baba was cursing and swearing).

    The constable was perplexed. Then, as advised by N.G.Chandorkar, a Mahajar (largely signed) was sent up to the effect that Baba was worshipped by large numbers as God; that the issue of summons and warrant were improper and undesirable, and that if his evidence was necessary a commissioner might be sent to take it.

    Then Nana joshi the commissioner, a first class magistrate came and examined Baba.

    Commissioner. What is your name?

    Baba: “T”hey call me Sai Baba.”

    Com.: Your father’s name?

    B.: “Also Sai Baba.”

    Com.: Your Guru’s name?

    B.: “Venkusa.”

    Com.: Creed or religon?

    B.: “Kabir.”

    Com.: caste or race?

    B.: “Parvardigar {i.e.,God) “

    Com.: Age please?

    B.: “Lakhs of years.”

    Com.: Will you solemnly affirm that what you are going to say is the truth?

    B.: “Truth.”

    Com.: Do you know the accused, so and so?

    B.: “Yes I know him and I know everyone.”

    Com.: The man says he is your devotee and that he lived with you.    Is that so?

    B. ” Yes I live with every one.    All are mine.”

    Com,: Did you give him jewels as alleged by him?

    B.: “Yes. I gave him.    Who gives what to whom?”

    Com.: If you gave him the jewels, how did you get them and become possessed of them?

    B.: “Everything is mine.”

    Com.: Baba, here is a serious charge of theft.   That man says that you delivered the jewels to him.

    B.: “What is all this? What the devil have I to do with all that?”

    The commissioner was perplexed. Then it was suggested that the village diaries showing the presence of strangers in the village should be sent for. The diary showed that the accused, a stranger was not at Shirdi, at the time of his alleged receipt from Baba. And it was well known that Baba never left the village.

    The commissioner put the facts before Baba and Baba said they were true. That closed the Commission evidence. Baba was not asked to sign or put his mark. Baba does not appear to have signed or put his mark to any paper at any time.

    (b) Sir G.Seymour Curds’ Visit

    582. In 1910-11, Baba said at the Dwarakamayee: “Rascal, coming to see me! What have I got? I am a naked fakir with human organs.”

    People wondered whom Baba referred to. Then in a short time a big official procession passed by the mosque, including Mrs. and Mr. Curtis, Revenue Commissioner, Mr. Macneil, the Collector etc.   They passed on to the chavadi. The assistant Commissioner said (to N.R.S.)-; “Ask Sai Baba to finish his morning routine quickly as the sahebs (officers) wish-to see him”.

    N.R.S.: Such a communication to Sai Baba is unthinkable. If you have any business with him, you must await his pleasure.

    In half an hour, Baba passed by that side. Mrs.Curtis, bowing to Baba said: “We wish to have a little talk with you, Maharaj. “

    B.: Wait half an hour.    I have to go and beg.

    So saying, Baba went away but returned in ten minutes.

    Mrs. Curtis, again bowing, repeated her request.

    B.: Wait one hour. So saying Baba passed on to the Masjid.

    The officers were in a hurry and they did not stop; and Mrs. Curtis’ object namely, to get a child by Baba’s blessing was not achieved.

    Worship with Sandal Paste Muslims with clubs

    583. Baba was being worshipped by a number of Hindus with flowers, etc. As for sandal, the chief devotee, Mahlsapathy applied it to Baba’s neck, but not to the forehead, as Baba objected to it.

    One day Mahlsapathy had a vision of Baba with sandal on Baba’s forehead. Thereafter Mahlsapathy was regularly pasting sandal on Baba’s forehead without any objection from Baba. But some Muslims raised objections. But Baba did not care for their views.

    Then the Muslims met together, consulted the Sangamnere Kazi and resolved to beat anyone who should put sandal on Baba’s forehead. One Tambuli told Mahlsapathy of this fact. That day Mahlsapathy stood outside the mosque compound and performed puja of Baba from there.

    B.: What are you doing there? M: Doing your Puja.

    B.: Come in and daub me with sandal on the forehead, hands, breast, and everywhere; Let me see who will dare to beat!

    The Muslims were cowed down and the puja with sandal developed into regular Hindu worship as in temples.

    1. In 1913-1914, plague raged at Poona. R.K. Dube who vowed to go to Shirdi, broke that vow and went to Sasarwada. In that trip he lost a child and his wife was seriously unwell. Dube prayed to Baba.

    Baba, appearing in a vision, said: “One must perform one’s vow. Else he has to bear the punishment in this manner.”

    Applying Udhi to Mrs. Dube, Baba disappeared.

    Dube saw the Udhi on her face. The next day she recovered.

    Later when Mr. and Mrs. Dube went to Shirdi, Baba referred to the above incident.

  • APPEARANCE AS OTHERS

    APPEARANCE AS OTHERS

    Baba’s appearance as others

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About Appearance as others

    To Mule Sastri, as Dholap Maharaj

    352A Baba  appeared as  Dholap Maharaj,  the guru of Mule Sastri, to overcome Sastri’s prejudice against Baba at the mosque.

    Baba assumes objector’s father’s voice

    353. Kaka Mahajani’s friend who was a believer in nirakara worship alone and objected to all worship  of forms, agreed out of curiosity to go with Kaka to see Baba. He stipulated, however, that he would neither bow  to  sai nor pay any Dakshina.  As  that friend  was getting  up  the  steps  of the  mosque  at  Shirdi,  Baba  said “Kayaveji”   i.e., Welcome Sir.

    But the voice that fell upon the friend’s ears was that of his father and thrilled him with joy. He at once fell down and placed his head upon Baba’s feet.

    Baba asked Kaka thereafter, twice for Dakshina, but did not ask this man, who thereupon whispered to Kaka that he wanted to give Dakshina.

    B.:    What is your friend saying? Kaka repeated his words.

    B: He has not been asked, because he was unwilling to give it.   But if he wants to give it now, he may. Then the friend paid Baba Rs.17

    B.(to that man): It is Teli’s wall[oil store, next to Baba place] that separates you from us. Pull it down and we can see each other clearly face to face.

    Then Kaka and his friend were starting and the weather was cloudy and threatening.

    B.: Shama, let them go without fear or anxiety.   There is no trouble from rain on their return journey.

    There was no rain till they reached the train, despite the clouds and thunder.

    Baba appears as or identifies with himself other saints

    354. S. B. Nachne’s brother and family were anxious about a very serious operation, which was just being performed at Mumbai on his brother. Then a Sadhu appeared at Dahanu and was given food by Nachne’s sister-in-law. They kept aside Bendi Baji (lady’s fingers’ dish) as not fit for presentation; but the Sadhu himself called for it and it was then served. The Sadhu then went away blessing them and telling them that the operation at Mumbai was safe and successful. Three years later, Nachne went to Baba. Then,

    Baba: “I had been to this man’s house (pointing to S.B. Nachne) for a meal. He did not give me Bendi Baji.”

    That saint was obviously Hindu and markedly different in features from Baba.

    355. Balakrishna G. Upasani Sastri, Professor of Sanskrit, went to Hardwar and Tapovan (Swargashram) and saw a saint who told him that a saligram held as an heirloom by the upasanis for many generations had been given by him. When asked about his identity, that saint said in Hindustani, “lo! There was a tree (or log). One came down. The other went up. You will come to know”. And then he went out of sight.

    Many years later, at the end of 1911, he was going about to trace the whereabouts of his younger brother, Kasinath now known as upasani Baba. He alighted at Kopergaon at the request of the local mamlatdar who sent him to Shirdi. When he went to Baba,

    Baba: Go to Khandoba’s

    BGU: When I have seen you, Baba, I have seen all the Gods.

    Again Baba: Go to Khandoba’s.

    When BGU came out of the Mosque and mentioned Baba’s order, people told him that Kasinath upasani sastri was at Khandoba’s. Thus Baba without being told, found out BGU’s relationship and quest. When BGU returned to Baba, Baba spoke in Hindustani the same words that were spoken by the Sadhu at Tapovan.

    “There was a tree (or log). Two persons were up over that. One came down and the other went up.”

    Sai Baba thus showed that he was the Tapovan saint.

    355-A. When Chandrabai R. Borkar was at Kopergaon during sravana or chaturmasya of 1908, an unknown fakir appeared before her and wanted Garlic chatni and bread. She said that she did not take garlic in chaturmasya and the fakir disappeared.

    Having heard of Sai Baba and his taking onion everyday, she thought that fakir might be Sai Baba. So she went to Shirdi for the first time and bowed before Sai Baba. Baba told her, “You have not given garlic chatni and bread! Any why have you come here?” This confirmed her idea that the fakir who come to her was Baba and she answered “Yes, I have come to give garlic chatni and bread”. Baba then said that “she was his sister for seven generations and had always sought him out”

    Baba identifying Himself with Anasuya and Datts

    356. In 1911, on Datta Jayanti day Balawant Kohojkar went to Baba at Shirdi. At 5 p.m.,

    B.: I am having pangs of labour and cannot bear the pain. So saying, he drove everyone out of the mosque.

    He was evidently identifying himself with Anasuya. A little later, Baba called all people in. Kohojkar went first and on Baba’s gadi saw not Baba, but a small charming three headed baby (i.e.,) Datta. In a moment, Datta disappeared and Baba was seen instead.

    357. B.V.Dev wished to perform an udhyapana ceremony, which included mass feeding and he wrote to Jog requesting Baba’s attendance at the dinner.

    Then,

    Jog : Baba, Dev wants you to attend the dinner at Dahanu on the prescribed date.

    B.: Write and tell him that I shall attend the dinner with two others, that I require no train to travel by, and that as soon as a Bhakta calls out to me with love, I will appear immediately.

    On the dinner day, Baba was not to be seen at the dinner party. A Sanyasi, previously known to Dev turned up with two others and saying, ‘I came only for dinner and not for money’ and dined with him.

    Then Dev wrote to Jog complaining of Baba’s breach of promise. Jog was bringing the letter to Baba and even before it was opened, Baba spoke:

    B.: Ah! He says that I made him believe that I would take his Udhyapana meal and that I deceived him. Inform him that I did attend the dinner with two others; but that he failed to recognise me. Tell him that I expressly said that I did not go there for money, but only for the dinner.

    The reply was written and sent; and Dev was convinced that Baba ate in the form of the Sanyasi,

    358. A Marwadi came to Adam Dalali and wanted food. And A.D. gave him some money and sent him to a Marwadi Hotel at Bandra. Later, A.D. went to Shirdi.

    Baba (pointing to A.D): “I went to this man. He sent me to a Marwadi for food.”

    Baba as Dog

    359. Mrs.G.S.Khaparde when presenting Naivedya at the mosque was daily inviting Baba to go to her lodgings for a meal. Baba promised; but did not come.

    One day when she was preparing dishes, a dog came near her and as she viewed it as an unclean and polluting animal, flung burning fuel at the dog and it ran away. That day at Naivedya time at the Mosque, Mrs. G.S.K. – “Baba, come to my lodgings for a meal.”

    Baba :  “Yes.  when  I came,  you threw burning fuel at me.”

    H.S.D.’s Brother

    401. H.S.D.’s Brother was unwell at Nagpur and a letter intimating that fact came to H.S.D.’s at Shirdi, when he was before Baba.

    H.S.D.: “I am of no service at all, Baba (to my brother), “(meaning that he could not help his brother any way.)

    Baba- “I am of much service.”

    The force of Baba’s words was understood by H.S.D. much later. At the time of his talk with Baba, someone had come to his brother at Nagpur and used the very same words, “1 am of much service”, and cured H.S.D.’s brother!

  • CONTROL ELEMENTS

    Baba’s control elements

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About the Five Elements

    338. Baba, to one who by pranayama etc.. had developed clairvoyance and had seen fire in his Dhyanaroom when his distant mill was burning, wished to point out the danger of being attracted by the desire of Siddhis, and said:” why are you gazing at the strumpet’s performances? I can never exhibit tricks. It does not behave us to daily with a strumpet.”

    340. ANTICIPATING A STORM.

    In Vaisak 1914, Bhima went from Bombay to Baba desirous of seeing some chamatkars of Baba. When afternoon Arati was over,

    Baba: All of you clear off. You must remain inside your lodgings and not wander about in the open and you must come again, when sent for.

    When Baba said this, it was clear weather. But very soon a furious gale blew ripping off the zinc sheets on the top of building and threatening to blow down houses. It stopped in 15 minutes of cloudy weather. Thereafter the sun shone with fierce heat, then Baba sending for all said:

    “Are you terrified?” then Bhima fell at his feet and cried for joy.

    Baba: Do not fear. This is the play of God. Many more of such plays you may see.

    Baba’s control over storm

    341. On another stormy occasion, Baba (addressing the storm in a loud and thunderous voice): Stop, stop all this!

    In a few minutes, the storm ceased and there were no more rains and wind.

    The sky became clear.

    Baba’s control over fire

    (a) Kondaji’s stack

    341A. One day, at noon.

    Baba to Kondaji: Go to the stacking floor. your stack is on fire.

    Kondaji goes to the far off stack, sees no fire and returns.

    Kondaji: Baba, there is no fire, you wanted the fun of sending me out in the hot sun, is it?

    Baba: Now turn and see behind you.

    Just then smoke was seen rising  above the stack floor. All the villagers ran up. Kondaji’s stack was burning. Villagers then begged Baba to stop the fire and save the numerous stacks kept near Kondaji’s on the stacking floor. See 608

    342 Baba (circling Kondaji’s stack with a thin line of water). Only this stack will be burnt, and no others.

    Only that stack was burnt, though other stacks were near and a wind was blowing.

    (b) Fire in the Dhuni

    343 Baba: (to the fire in Dhuni, the flames of which were seen reaching to the rafters above, while Baba was beating a pillar nearby with his stick): Get back, forebear, forebear.

    The fire immediately slowed down and became normal.

    (c) Baba controls fire and heat

    344. When on a hot summer noon, people finding the atmosphere too hot, left the Mosque and only five remained.

    Baba: (Addressing the five): You go, and sit near the fire.

    They did. In a few minutes the atmosphere inside became cool and a cool wind was fanning them.

    Baba’s control over Departed Spirits and Guidance of them

    345. Baba: There was a girl playmate of mine. She was an artist. She died and was buried. As I was passing by her tomb, I stopped and passed a night near it. Then she accompanied me. I kept her in a babul tree first, and then brought her to Shirdi.

  • DEATH and BIRTH

    Baba’s sayings about death and birth

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About death and birth

    3I3-A.     Prema conferred by Baba:  He appeared before Rao saheb Galwankar and said: “What do you want”? 

    G.   Nothing but Prema.

    Baba.   Yes  (and  Baba disappeared. But G. has often gushed of Prema, ever since then.)

    313-B Imam (i.e., faith) is conferred by Baba.

    Rajaballi Mahomed came to Baba.

    Baba to R.M.: What do you want.

    R.M.:Only Imam, faith.

    Baba: Allah accha karega. (God will bless.)

    314: Baba: “Why do you grieve: men are born to die. one day each one of us will die.”

    Baba to Appa Kulkarni’s wife.-“Death and life are manifestations of God’s activity. you cannot separate the two. God permeates all. However, (in fact) none is born. None die.: See with your inner eve. Then you realise that you are God, and not different from Him. Like worn-out garment, the body is cast away by God. Appa wants to change his dress (kupni) before I do. Let Appa go. Do not stop him. Do not ask for Udhi.

    Gain and loss, birth and death, are in the hands of God. But how blindly do these people forget God! Look after life just so long as it lasts. When death arrives, do not be grieved.

    The wise ones do not grieve for death; the fools do.

    Behold! The five pranas were lent for use till now. Now the lender claims back his won; and they are returned. Air goes back to air, fire to fire. Every one of the five elements thus goes back to its place.

    The body (is made up) of earth. See, really they are the same. Therefore its return to the earth is not a thing to bemoan.”

    Birth

    315. Baba: “Birth also is similar to be dealt with. Do not be jubilating over a birth. This is the process of creation (and goes on from the beginning). Be not moved by it.

    The earth bears seeds. Clouds drop their rain on them. The sun sends his rays, and makes them sprout. When these sprout, earth, clouds and Sun keep on their sport and happy course in all directions.

    But they neither exult at the growth not deplore the destruction of the sprout. You should be (unaffected) like these. If you are, whence can sorrow come to you? Mukti is this absence of sorrow.

    Selfishness of Sorrow

     (At the cries of an aged woman crying at the death of her husband who after intense suffering from protracted disease died thinking of Baba).

    316. Baba: “Listen to the cries of that woman! “What will become of me? Who will give me cloth or food?” she says. She wholly forgets the miseries and happiness of her husband!”

    Death of a son, daughter etc. W.G. Pradhan

    317. Baba: Why does the fool go on lamenting for the loss of a son? It is merely going to the earth. The body must go to the earth. Why go on lamenting for that? Scatter your fruits-Rarnphal-far and wide.

    -To a Magistrate. Sai Baba to N.G. Chandorkar(who had lost a grandchild)

    318. Baba:(to Bayyaji Patil): “Why should you be sorry? (for the death of your father). In five months, he will come back, [In five months, a son was born to Bayyaji]

    Jnani’s passing away

    319. Baba- ” They do not talk of saints as dying. They take samadhi”. (cf Kabir. )

    320. Baba’s warning to G P Bendre who was to lose his eldest son suddenly in four days.

    Baba: Go and ask Buty for Rs. 10 Dakshina.

    Bendre goes to Buty and sees that Buty is calmly proceeding to bury his clerk just dead.

    Baba to G P Bendre: “A very grievous thing has happened. Be not afraid. be courageous. Do not throw up your limbs.”

    (Thus prepared, Bendre did not feel the shock so much at the loss of his son two days later).

    When death is an advantage. Baba does not avert it.(Cobra bitten boy)

    (Sometime after Baba revived a kid that seemed to fall down dead in midday heat, a woman came and cried for Udhi to save her son who was bitten by a cobra. That was not given; and the bay died. She came again and cried)

    321 H S Dixit: “Baba, the woman’s cries are heart rending . For my sake, revive her dead son.”

    Baba: Bhav, do not get entangled in this. Bhav, what has happened is for good. He has entered into a new body. In that body, he will do specially good work which can not be accomplished in this body, which is seen here. If I draw him back into this body, then the new body he has taken will die and this this body will live. I will do this for your sake. but have you considered the consequences? Have you any idea of the responsibility and are you prepared to take it up?

    H.S. Dixit desisted from pressing his requests.

    The girl with slit lips

    322. In 1913, S B Mohile took his daughter to baba for curing her split lip, which doctors could not cure.

    Baba: I know what for you are come. I can cure her; but it will be of no use. The girl is of divine sort (Daivi) and consequently her span of life will be very short. Next Magha Shudda Chathurthi, i.e., March 1914, she will expire. If on that day you are not at home and go away to your office, you will not be able to see her (alive on your return).

    The girl died on that very date when the father was in his office.

    Appa Kulkarni

    323. Baba: (Appa Kulkarni): “Pucca (bilander) thieves have come to the village. You are the first object of their attack. Their aim is to get at the principal things. Taking these, they run away.”

    This referred to the Cholera epidemic which was to come upon the village and in which appa was the first victim. Appa, however, mistook it as referring to the public funds he kept in the chavadi and he placed a special guard over it. Appa was attacked by cholera; and he succumbed.

    323-A; Appa Kulkarni’s wife (crying) Baba, save my husband.

    Baba: Mother, Let Appa go. Do not stop him. He is removing his kupni before I take off mine. It is better for him that he goes.

    Trying to prevent Death-Ineffectual attempt

    324. When the Nigoj patil’s wife was seriously ill of plague, that night Baba was at the Chavadi with Mahalsapathi (Bhagat).

    Baba: Bhagat, do not sleep to-night. Stand and keep watching. I have to remember God today. Because the rude Rohilla (death or plague) wants to kill that woman, so I am praying to Allah.

    Mahalsapathy kept watch to prevent any disturbance of or interruption to baba’s prayers; but in the course of the night, the Nivas mamlatdar came with his peons who made a hubbub and shouted that mamlatdar wanted darshan. Their take with Mahalsapathi and mamlatdar’s taking Udhi disturbed Baba, who got angry and threw away mamladtar’s cloth.

    Baba: (After much abuse): You Bhagat! Are you a father of a family? you do not note what is going on in the village, Nigoj (i.e, the plague attack on the Patil’s wife). In such circumstances why did you admit people? Be it so. What has happened is good.

    That night the Patil’s wife died.

    Consolation

    325. Baba to Damodar B.Rampoorkar (who had lost two children and had a son ailing at the time)- “Why are you fearing? Those who are gone, are gone. Be contented with those who survive. Fear not. Am I not near you? what then?

    326. Baba to H.S. Dixit (just after his daughter died): “Read this Adhyatma Ramayana where Rama condoles Mandodari.”

    BABA AVERTS DEATH

    327. In May, June 1917, a Mumbai lady and her younger son sat before Baba at noon Arati.

    Baba: Your must come here exactly at 2 p.m.

    Boy: Yes.

    Accordingly the boy was there at 2 p.m. at the Dwarakamayee.

    Baba: “Boy, come here. Sit at my feet on this mat. Be massaging my feet and do not let go my feet till I tell you.”

    Accordingly the boy went on massaging. At 3 p.m. a terrible female figure with wild dishevelled hair, begrimed face and head and a protruding long tongue shot out and moving like a dog’s jumped over the compound wall and coming near the boy, said:

    “I want this person”.

    Baba: I will not give him.

    She: This exactly is the person I want.

    (She then approached the boy and pulled him. Baba got up enraged and holding the boy with one hand, kicked her on the breast. She roared and ran away)

    Baba: Boy, are you not attending? Do you know the woman that came; Hallo! that woman wanting you to be given up. But how can I give? I refused.

    Boy: When this was going on, I sat benumbed like a picture. I saw everything, but my body was inert or stonelike.

    (Baba declared that the female form was the goddess cholera. And the very next morning, Baba permitted the boy and his mother to go back to Mumbai. Cholera then began to rage at Shirdi)

     BABA’S PASSING AWAY

    Baba’s first attempt to leave the world (1886)

    328. In 1886 Baba said to Mahalsapathy: “I am going to Allah. Take care of this body for three days. If I return, I will look after it myself thereafter. If I do not, inter this body thereafter in that open land (pointing to an open land) and place two standards there to mark the place, where my body is placed.

    Then Baba’s breathing, pulse, circulation, all stopped and the body became a corpse. The village officers and police held an inquest and ordered Mahalsapathy to bury the body; but he prevented it, thus averting catastrophe which befell Sankaracharya’s body – a catastrophe that was in Sankaracharya’s case remedied by a Goddess.

    On the third day consciousness returned to Baba. Breathing began and the abdomen was seen moving. then Baba’s opened and his life was restored.

    II. In 1916

    329. In 1916 Vijayadasami Day (October) Baba was in a rage. He tored off all his clothes and threw them into the fire (Djuni) before him and stood there stark naked. Baba with red eyes shouted: “Fellows, decide for yourselves now If I am Moslem or Hindu.”

    After two hours of this rage, Bagoji Scindhe, his leper companion tied a langoti to him and said: “Why all this? To day is the festival of Simolanagan”. Baba striking the ground with his baton: “This is my Simolangan (my going beyond the boundary of life.)”

    People could not understand his meaning then, but it was on the Vijayadasami day of 1918 that Baba crossed the boundary of life.

    In 1916 before vijayadasami, Baba had been seriously unwell and the rumour got abroad that he was about to die. And the devotees conducted a sapta at Shirdi with mass feeding for the recovery of his health.

    Thereafter he recovered; but when Nana Saheb Nimonkar came there, on his way to Poona

    Baba: Nana, you stay here, bury me and then go.

    Baba would not allow Nana either to go back to Nimon or proceed on to Poona.

    Shama intervened on behalf of Nimonkar and asked Baba for leave for his going away.

    Baba: “Shama, do you want to kill my people. Is Kaka (Nana Nimaonkar) eating your father’s property?”

    Shama: But his daughter-in-law is pregnant and requires help.

    Baba: (Addressing Nimonkar): Hallo Kaka, why are you anxious? God will help. Bury me and then go.

    His daughter-in-law had no help. Suddenly at 10 p.m. one night, she felt that pains were coming and was at once taken in a tonga to the Poona Municipal Maternity hospital and left on a bed. The nurse went away to some other room at 11 p.m. and in the nurse’s absence, she was delivered  of a male child without any help.

    Baba said to Nana Nimonkar at that time at Shirdi: “There was a woman. She was taken to a place. There she was delivered safe of a male child.”

    III. In 1918

    330. Baba had told Uddhavesa Bua some months back no to be “paying fortnightly visits” and made him final farewell. In Dasara time, Baba was unwell, for a number of days, as also Tatya Patil.

    In the earlier part he went and begged food in the accustomed places supporting his body on some others. During the last two or three days, he was not able to go out.

    On the 15 October 1918, i.e., Dasara day, after Arati was over:

    Baba: “You Kaka (H S Dixit), Buty, etc., go for your meal.”

    And then they left. After they left, Baba sat upon his bed, reclined on Bayyaji’s lap and said, “I am going. Carry me to the Wada. All the Brahmins will be living near me.” and then breathed his last. Nana Nimonkar poured water into his mouth; but the water came out. It was about 3 p.m. The day was no doubt Vijaya Dasami, but Ekadasi had begun at that time.

    In anticipation of his passing away, he gave gifts (dana) in the morning of that dasami. He sat up and paid from his pocket first Rs.5/- and then Rs. 4/- to Lakshmi Bai Scindhe, who was daily preparing and giving him food and daily receiving Rs. 4/- from him.

    A few days before Baba passed away, he sent Rs. 200 for feeding fakirs and the chanting of prayers with drum beating, at a holy place. He sent word to another Moslem saint in these terms, “The light of Allah lit, he is taking away.” That saint received the intimation with tears.

    Rama Viyaya had been read during the 14 days of Baba’s illness, i.e., on the 9th, 10th, 11th day of Dasara within Baba’s hearing, as he had said that “Mrityunjaya would be pleased thereby.”

    On the night of Dasara, Baba appeared in the dream of Lakshman mama and said, “Get up quick and do my Kakada Arati. Jog thinks that I am dead and he will not come.”

    And Lakshman did the morning Arati in spite of the protest of the Maulvis. Jog resumed the noon arati on the 16th October 1918.

    330.A Baba’s reference to the approach of his Mahasamadhi. Baba to Chotakhan: “Put this garland on the fakir Banne Mea and tell him “Allah is taking away the lamp he placed here.” That was mentioned to the Moulana shortly before 15-10-1918. That fakir then shed tears.

    IV. Baba’s Samadhi and Temple

    331. One night both Shama and Bapu Saheb Buty dreamt that Baba wanted the latter to build a wada and a temple. H.S.D. went to Baba to verify this with Shama.

    Sharma : Deva what mysterious wonders you are working?

    Baba, (shutting his ears): I am in my own place and say nothing to anyone.

    Then Baba was asked for permission to build and he gave it. Later Buty wanted to install Murlidhar’s image in the central hall without having a special garba-griha. Baba’s consent was asked. Baba- “After the temple is built, we will reside there.”

    When Baba was unwell and fast approaching his end, he said to Bayyaji and others. “I am going. Place me in the (Buty) Wada. Brahmins will reside near me”.

    Buty did not wish to reside there or introduce Murlidhar after Baba passed away and he agreed to Baba’s remains being placed in the Wada. Then Hindus and Moslems had a hot contest as to where Baba’s mortal remains should be interred and the local Mamlatdar ordered a plebiscite to be taken through mahajars. The Hindus, by a large majority voted that Baba’s remains should be placed in Buty wada and that was done. Baba’s samadhi is now there.

    SADGATI /Moksha [Salvation / Liberation]
    1. A BLIND MAN

    332. A blind man went to Baba for restoration of sight. Baba did not give him any encouragement and so he went out of the Mosque.

    He was then admonished, that restoration of physical sight to a man in his position, with only a short of life before him perhaps, is undesirable, as restored sight may merely develop desires and that his appeal to Sri Sai Baba should be for the grant of spiritual vision.

    The man returned and said, “I do not want my physical sight. Please take me under your protection and give me the inner vision.”

    Baba: Stay on.

    The man stayed for a month, improved spiritually and died.

    Baba: This man is not dead. It is only his wife, (ignorance) that is dead. He has attained Sadgati.

     (2)       L K NOOLKAR

    333. Lakshman K. Noolkar, who was sub-judge at Pandharpur in 1909, while N G Chandorkar was Deputy Collector there, was being induced to go to Shirdi by the latter.

    LKN: “I cannot go until I get a Brahmin cook, and good Nagpur oranges for presentation. I can find neither of these.”

    NGC: Baba’s grace will provide.

    That night a Brahmin cook came to NGC and wanted service and was referred to Noolkar who engaged him. In the morning Noolkar found a parcel of excellent Nagpur oranges and no trace could be found as to who the sender was. Any how, Noolkar, convinced of Baba’s miraculous powers of providing the needful, started with NGC, and went to Baba.

    Baba: Nana, who is this notorious crazy person, whom you have brought with you?

    Next day when Noolkar visited Masjid. Baba was in a furious mood and seizing his head, knocked it against pillar saying, “Your existence or truth will be lost or your unreality will be lost”.

    Noolkar was much afraid; but NGC, gave an optimistic interpretation of these occurrences.

    That night Noolkar suddenly got up and asked Nana for betel, which Noolkar was not ordinarily using. Just at that time, Baba was at Mosque far away.

    Baba to someone present: “Take these four bidas i.e., rolled up betel, and go and give them to an old man, at Chandorkar’s who needs the betel.”

    The sudden appearance of that man and the delivery of the bidas convinced Noolkar that Baba was his Antarsakshi and thenceforward Noolkar’s faith was greatly strengthened and he stayed on at Shirdi. Noolkar’s death suddenly came on rapidly, sacred literature was read within his hearing, as he approached the end. Baba’s Pada Theertham also was brought and given to him and died with his attention centered on Baba.

    Baba referring to Noolkar’s death: “Tatya, (Noolkar) has gone in advance (of us). He stayed here as I directed. His life’s goal has been reached. He will be born no more.”

    (3) VIJAYANANDASWAMI

    334. Sri Vijayananda Swami, a Madrasi, started from Madras on pilgrimage to Manasarovar. He visited Baba at Shirdi en route. Here one Somadevaji, a swami of Haridwar frightened the Madrasi and made him waver about his trip by describing the difficulties of the pilarimage. Then when Vijayananda went to Baba, Baba cried out, “Turn this useless Sanyasi out”.

    The man left the Masjid; but watched Sai Baba from the mandap and was very well impressed with Sai Baba. He was then graciously received by Baba.

    Then a letter came to him from Madras that his mother was very ill and so asked Baba for permission. But Sai saw the future better than the Madrasi and said: “If you are so fond of your mother, why did you assume the garb of sanyasi? The ochre colour and ‘Mamata’ i.e., attachment cannot go together. Go and sit at your quarters. wait for a few days courageously. We shall see then about the future. In your wada (i.e., building) there are many thieves. Bolt your doors and be on your guard. they will carry away everything. Wealth, kith and kin etc., are all transient – attended with fear.

    Utter renunciation alone leads to bliss. Begin “Sapthaha” of Bhagavata from tomorrow. Do three of these “Sapthaha” – devoting body, speech and mind to it; meditate on it, That will quench all vasanas; all-illusion will end”. Vijayanandaswami started his Bhagavata Parayana Sapthaha from the next day, right seriously. after two Sapthahas, i.e., 14 days, he was too much exhausted and weak and so spent 2 days at his quarters. the third day he breathed his last on Bade Baba’s lap.

    In the above incident, Baba’s each word is impregnated with universal spiritual advice to all humanity. 

    “Turn this useless Sanyasi out” – For those who have family responsibility and dependent to take care of, sanyasm is unacceptable and unwarranted.  

    This is how Sai Baba ensured his Sadgati, foreseeing his end.

    (4) Mrs. S.B. Dhumal

    335. Baba to S.B. Dhumal: “the next masik you perform for your wife, perform at shirdi and I will give her sadgaft (And the masik was performed.)”

    (5) Mrs. Upasani Maharaj

    336. When Upasani Maharaj’s wife died about the end of January 1912, Upasani M came much perturbed to Baba and said “Here is Rs.10/-, please do something to give sadgati to my wife.”

    Baba-” Keep the money. She (her spirit) has already come to me. What has to be taken from you has already been taken.”

    SADGATI TO ANIMALS: A SHE BAFFALO

    337. Baba to Mrs. Jog: “You will get a buffalo coming to you. Give it plenty of pooran poli with plenty of ghee.”

    Mrs. Jog: How am I make out that buffalo?

    Baba: It will itself come to your door.

    Mrs. Jog: So many baffaloes pass by my door.

    Baba: When you finish making the required number of pooran polis, that baffalo which comes to your door is the one.

    Mrs. Jog: I have two doors. Northern and southern door.

    Baba: It will be at the southern door.

    Mrs. Jog finished making pooran poli ready painted with ghee at noon that day. Just then a buffalo was at the southern door. Mrs. Jog placed all the pooran polis before it. The animal ate the whole and fell down dead. Mrs. Jog was in terror afraid of being charged in the next world with sin and in the world of being troubled by the owner or by Government. She went to Baba and mentioned the facts and her fear. Baba allayed those fears.

    Baba: That she baffallo had exhausted all her vasanas except the desire to eat plenty of pooran polis with ghee and when that desire was satisfied, her vasanas were exhausted and she passed away from the buffalo body. Go home. There is no reason why you should feel worried. You have only released it from this body.

    SATGATI TO A CHILD

    337A M B Rege’s wife (who was enceinte) and M B Rege visited Baba about 1914. Baba then told them “you have one of my gift with you”.  

    After the child was born, they took it to Baba. Baba to M B Rege: “Is he mine or yours. “

    M B Rege: Yours Baba.

    Baba: Keep him with you as a charge from me.

    18 months later, the child was dying. Rege prayed to Baba to take the child and give its soul rest at his feet, and that its remaining karma would be undertaken by himself. The child then died like a yogi, with a smile on its face when life left it, by the crown of the head being drawn in with a hiss (i.e., Brahmarandara gati). When he next visited Shirdi, 

    Baba: “The child was mine and this man agreed to keep it. One day he said, you keep him with you and I shall take the karma. I took him and kept him here (pointing to baba’s heart) and he shall be here eternally.

  • LUST

    LUST

    Baba’s sayings about moral teaching on lust

    Para Number in the Book & About correcting lust

    204. Sai Baba to Devasad (an ascetic)

    1. Adhere to Vairagya

    2. Women are the greatest danger to ascetic

    3. Avoid the Upadhis-Moha (Delusion) and pomp

    4. Think of God and Kill out that ego

    A person that has not overcome lust cannot see God, i.e., get God-realisation.

    205. LUST conquest – NGC

    Two Moslem ladies wearing veils came to take darshan of Baba at the mosque and NG Chandorkar was sitting by him. NGC tried to get up and go away.

    Baba- “You had better remain. If they wish to take darshan, let them come. “

    The ladies came. The older removed her veil and took darshan. Next, as the younger removed her veil, took darshan and resumed her veil, Nana, smitten with her beauty, thought to himself “Shall I have one more opportunity to see that angelic face?”, but he said nothing. Baba struck him on the thigh. Then the ladies left.

    Baba- “Nana, do you know why I struck you?”

    Nana: How can I hide anything from the omniscience of my guru? But I do not understand how such low thoughts should sway my mind, when I am in your immediate presence.

    Baba- “You are a man after all. Are you not? The body is full of desires, which spring up as soon as a sense object approaches. But are temples with lovely and well coloured exterior scarce in the world?

    When we go there, is it to admire the exterior or see the God within? When you are seeing the God in the shrine, do you care for the outside beauty of the building or for that of the image or Paramatama within? Does God remain only in temples? Is he not found in every object in the world as in temples? We are not to bother ourselves about the beauty or ugliness of the exterior, but to concentrate soley on the form taken by and revealing God.

    Of course there is nothing in looking at the exterior, but as one looks at it, he must think how clever and powerful is the God that produced such a beautiful abode, how he resides therein and how nicely ornamented he is. Nana, if you had directed your thoughts to this way, you would not have had the desire to get one more look at the Moslem beauty’s face. Keep this always in mind. “

    206 H V Sathe, a Settlement Officer and devotee of baba was staying at his place, Sathe wada. Out of curiosity, he wished to visit a lady devotee of Baba, whose reputation was not good. Earlier in the day, he called upon Baba.

    Baba: Saheb, have you been to “Sala (School)”?

    HVS: What Baba! Have you made me a Deputy collector without taking me to School?

    Baba found HVS ignorant of local names and dropped the matter. Later on, HVS visited the lady who lived in a place locally known as the School.

    There, in the course of talking with her, sexual thoughts were assailing him and he was in danger of a fall. Suddenly the outer door was thrown open. Baba standing at the door made gestures which evidently meant –“What ! You have come so far to your guru! And are you now descending to Hell! What excellent course!” Then Baba disappeared. HVS was saved in time by this proctor Baba. He left the Sala/School at once and never again visited that lady.

  • Baba’s All-pervasiveness and Mercy

    In the year 1910 A.D., Baba was sitting near the Dhuni (Fire) on Divali holiday and warming Himself. He was pushing fire-wood into the Dhuni, which was brightly burning. 

    A little later, instead of pushing logs of woods, Baba pushed His arm into the Dhuni; the arm was scorched and burnt immediately. 

    This was noticed by the servant Madhava, and also by Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They at once ran to Baba and Madhavarao clasped Baba by His waist from behind and dragged Him forcible back ward and asked, “Deva, for what have You done this?” 

    Then Baba came to His senses and replied, “The wife of a blacksmith at some distant place, was working the bellows of a furnace;her husband called her. Forgetting that her child was on her waist, she ran hastily and the child slipped into the furnace. I immediately thrust My hand into the furnace and saved the child. 

    I do not mind My arm being burnt, but I am glad that the life of the child is saved.”

    Such instance show the all-pervasive and most merciful character of Sai Baba.

    SSSC Ch-7